Strategies can’t change unless regulations do

Alan Tudge had a new international student strategy last year (oh come on, you remember Alan, Alan Tudge). The then education minister wanted students from more countries, studying more disciplines, (enough with business already) in more ways, (on-line, from home), (CMM March 31, November 29).

But while Mr Tudge is not education minister just now, his strategy is not forgotten and the Department of Education Skills and Employment has ideas on amending the Education Services for Overseas Students Act to make it happen.

There’s a discussion paper out for consultation, with responses due by April 29.

Issues to address include,

* per centage of courses that can be studied on-line and outside Australia

* regulatory changes to encourage study of courses aligned with Australian employment priorities

* providers relations with agents

* oversighting students’ English language proficiency

And then there is an open-ended question which invites full and frank answers; how can the ESOS framework, “resolve any regulatory barriers that prevent sector innovation, diversification and growth of Australian educational offerings, including on-shore and off-shore?”